Bioscience
16 courses · Merritt College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
BIOSC 9 General Histology
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 002 or BIOL 020A.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Survey of mammalian histology with an emphasis on human histology: Overview of cells, cellular organelles; plant, animal, and human tissues and relationship to organ systems.
BIOSC 22 Careers in Bioscience
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
Survey of careers in biotechnology, histotechnology, biomedical research, microscopy, and genomics: Career options, tours, networking opportunities and training, resume assistance, job hunting strategies, and hands-on activities.
BIOSC 30 Genomics Theory
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- BIOL C1000 or BIOL 10.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to genomics and genomic technologies: Principles of genetics and data collection (DNA and RNA structure, mitochondrial DNA, nucleic acid replication, protein synthesis, mitosis-meiosis, Mendelian principles, mutation, molecular character alignment, evolution and phylogenetic reconstruction), combined with data handling (bioinformatics mining using GenBank data), and scientific writing.
BIOSC 31 Advanced Genomics Theory
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- BIOL C1000 or BIOL 10.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Practice and theory of laboratory techniques: DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), primer design, DNA shearing, cloning, data handling, laboratory safety and good laboratory techniques, collection of new DNA data for publication in a scientific journal.
BIOSC 49 Independent Study in Bioscience
- Units
- .5-5
- Hours
- .5 - 5 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
In-depth exploration of an area or problem of the student's choice not covered by regular catalog offerings in Bioscience. Student must obtain approval from an appropriate faculty member. For more details, see the section on independent study in the college catalog.
BIOSC 50 Genetic Diseases
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Survey of common genetic diseases which result from various mutations and chromosomal aberrations: Genetic modifiers and epigenetic factors as they relate to disease; basic Mendelian principles are also reviewed.
BIOSC 53 Genetics of Neuroscience
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Basic genetic and molecular cell biology concepts explained through neuroscience research techniques: Genetic inheritance and protein expression in Drosophila melanogaster experiments, common lab techniques for DNA extraction, basic fluorescence microscopy.
BIOSC 55 Beginning Histotechniques
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 030A and BIOSC 009 and BIOSC 101 or BIOSC 102.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Practical applications and skill-building in tissue fixation: Processing, embedding, sectioning, hematyoxylin-eosin staining, microorganism staining, quality control related to routine histological techniques, and equipment management.
BIOSC 56 Advanced Histotechniques
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOSC 055.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Practical applications of stains: Carbohydrates, amyloid, connective tissues, muscle and nervous tissues, silver stains, introduction to frozen sections, cytology preparation, and microwave technology.
BIOSC 59 My Genome
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
Survey of genotypes, phenotypes and ancestry assessed through a student's personal genome.
BIOSC 101 Theory and Practice of Microscopy
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Comprehensive survey of cutting-edge biological microscopy: Theory of brightfield, fluorescence, and confocal microscopy; extensive hands-on experience with digital brightfield, phase, and epifluorescence microscopes; basics of specimen preparation and digital image processing; exploration of careers in biotech, research, and biomedical sciences; fundamentals of lab safety and industrial and biomedical quality control; and exploration of bioethics.
BIOSC 102 Fluorescence Microscopy and Specimen Prep
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOSC 101.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Theory and practice of optical microscopy: Image optimization, troubleshooting; specimen prep including tissue culture, immunohistochemistry, and histotechnological stains; project-based hands-on learning with digital microscopes, including DIC, phase, dark field, and motorized widefield fluorescence; hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and aseptic technique, indirect immunofluorescence, and H&E staining.
BIOSC 103 Confocal Microscopy and Research Design
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOSC 102.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Exploration of theory and practice of advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques: Confocal, deconvolution, multi photon, superresolution, and other emerging technologies; live imaging; quantitative microscopy and morphometry; introduction to experimental design; extensive hands-on training on all majors brands of research microscopes, motorized imaging systems, and spectral confocal microscopes.
BIOSC 104 Bioscience Practicum Research
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture, 6 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOSC 102 Fluorescence Microscopy and Specimen Prep.
- Advisory
- BIOSC 103 Confocal Microscopy and Research Design.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Implementation of a research project in biosciences: Development of a written experimental plan; literature searches and other research tools; critique of published research; implementation of research plan using lab resources including motorized widefield fluorescence and confocal microscopes; data analysis; troubleshooting and redesign of experimental plan; written and oral presentation of results and conclusions.
BIOSC 105 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis in Bioscience
- Units
- 5
- Hours
- 5 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
Discussion of Bioscience discipline, careers, companies, products and services: Introduction to pertinent biotechniques and mastery of supportive laboratory mathematics and calculations; quantitative analysis of experimental data, including graphical, written and oral presentation of results.
BIOSC 476G Work Experience in Histotechnology
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 3 - 12 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supervised employment providing opportunities in Histotechnolog or a related field: Develop desirable work habits, become a productive, responsible individual, and extend education experience with on the job training. A maximum of 14 units may be earned during one enrollment period.